FRIDAY night's game between Newcastle and the Dragons was the perfect follow-up to Origin I. Both sides played end-to-end footy and with the Knights getting home thanks to a rip snorter of a goal right on fulltime. The man of the moment was Andrew Johns and for those who doubt that Joey is the best player in the world, you only have to listen to the Gus Gould and the TV commentary team. Pedantic critics point to a word count of 'Joey' 63 times, 'Johns' 136 times and 'champion halfback' 1,354 times. But as far as this expert is concerned, Gus was merely reassuring us that all is well between he and Joey. It was one the most well-balanced and down to earth match calls since the great Rex Mossop aired his dulcet tones during Channel 7's 'Manly match of the day' in the 1970s.

MELBOURNE Storm will take the unique step of offering a special discount ticket offer to all AFL and AFL club members this week in a bid to stimulate support for this Sunday?s clash with the Bulldogs at Olympic Park.